In a first for the house, Christian Dior invited students from fashion schools around the world to its Spring/Summer 2014 haute couture collection in Paris. The goal was to provide these future fashion students with an opportunity to explore the world of haute couture, the techniques, and creativity behind the scenes of a Paris fashion show. A total of 16 schools were invited, including France's Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Belgium's Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art, and the United States' Parsons The New School for Design. Representing Japan were Bunka Fashion College President Sanae Kosugi and three students. The students then watched the show at the house's atelier before the show and then attended a Dior conference with fellow fashion students in Paris. We attended a show held at the Rodin Museum specially for them and couturiers (seamstresses) and other people who work in the ateliers.

The participating schools are as follows. Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale, Institut Fran cais de la Mode, Esmod, Studio Bercot, ESAA‐Duperre, Ateliers Chardon Savard, Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, La Cambre, Brussels, Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, Conde Nast College of Fashion and Design, Royal College of Arts, Westminster University, Fashion Department, Istituto Marangoni, Milan, Accademia di Brera, Milan, Polimoda, Florence, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, Bunka Fashion College, Shanghai Raffles Design Institute Shangai, Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts‐Design Faculty, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University